Value for money: Costing Open Government reforms

How can governments ensure that they get their money’s worth when they embrace open government reforms?

Ongoing research suggests that open government reforms—those that promote transparency, participation, and accountability—may lead to better development outcomes if properly implemented by governments. However, governments must navigate the myriad of initiative options as they strive to improve citizens’ quality of life and achieve the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Without a rough idea of the potential costs and benefits different reforms might offer, how can governments allocate their resources efficiently?

To assess the cost of specific reforms, the study breaks down each of the key processes into costing activities, such as fixed costs, equipment, salaries, daily allowances. Primary and secondary research is then conducted to determine the costs of each item. If precise figures are not available or can only be estimated, cost ranges are identified. By identifying the major drivers of costs by mapping out key actors and processes associated with open government reforms, the methodology aims to put a price tag on reforms.

Once finished, the costing framework will be made freely available for governments and other interested parties to cost out specific open government reforms under consideration. It will also position this framework as an accessible, “do-it-yourself” (DIY) tool that can be utilized by generalists — including officials in low and middle-income country governments — seeking to understand the full costs of starting and sustaining open government reforms over time.

Being Open about Openness

Financial transparency is important not only in terms of understanding value in monetary terms; it also underscores the very nature of open government reforms. Everyone has the right to know the costs associated with reforms before they are implemented. Clarity about the use of public funds can help ensure that public officials can be held accountable for effectiveness and efficiency. It can ensure greater integrity with public spending, and may foster trust between governments and citizens.

Comments

Great to hear more about this work. Our thoughts about the value and challenges of costing open government "interventions", about making sure that they take adequate account of context, and politics, and that they generate useful information, can be found here http://www.globalintegrity.org/2016/11/costs-politics-open-government-interventions/

This is really timely and important work. A group of open data folks were just talking about the value of "infonomics" in making the case for continuing / expanding this work . There is a real cost to implementing open government and open data efforts so understanding the drivers of value will be key to helping guide prioritization of this work. Looking forward to it!